Botanical lore
Llike wild
rose and hawthorn, rowan belongs to the rose family and is found in the colder
parts of the temperate zone. Rarely growing higher than forty feet, it is not a
dominating species, letting other plants grow around it and requiring little of
the soil. The large amount of light coming through its canopy allows for its
famed wealth of berries and these feed many birds.
The
shoots bear clusters of flowers (inflorescence), in creamy white compounds, and
are bisexual, with five petals, opening in late May. Once they develop into
berries, they change from green to orange to the brilliant scarlet of autumn. A
frost-resistant tree, rowan can live on hillsides and slopes up to 6,000 feet
(in the Alps). In dark spruce plantations, rowan can be very helpful in breaking
up the soil by and transforming slowly decomposing needles into fertile humus.
The berries
are bitter but not poisonous, although the seeds inside the berries contain
parasorbic acid, which can upset the stomach and metabolism if eaten raw. Apart
from their acidity, rowan berries are excellent to strengthen the immune system
and cleanse the blood. They are anti-rheumatic and balance the digestive system.
They contain sugar, carotin, pectin, essential oil, vitamin A and more vitamin C
than oranges and lemons. The dried berries and leaves help gastritis and
diarrhoea, while raw or cooked berries have a slightly laxative and diuretic
effect.
An old remedy for stimulating and cleansing the kidneys, rowan berries can help with coughs and throat inflammations, or even bronchitis. Taken singly, therefore, berries can help walkers, singers and speakers. Boiling the berries destroys the parasorbic acid, so that rowan jelly, juice or wine is the best result of all.
Its wood is used for tool handles, cart wheels, planks and beams, walking sticks, boats, (but see mythology) while the bark is good for tanning and dyeing.
Added notes rose family: rosaceae rowan, mountain ash, quicken tree (sorbus aucuparia)quickbeam, also flaxinus, pyrus. Berry: flavours ales, liquers, cordials and cooked makes jam and jelly. coffee substitute. taste of berries wards off hunger and thirst. Branches: (forked) for metal divining. Medical: laxative, treats urinary tract infections, gargle for sore throat, laryngitis, tonsils, cure for scurvy.